Fins up for the College of Staten Island!
The CSI Dolphins forward momentum continued this past Friday with the 2025 “Finnies” at the Recreation Center on campus.
The “Finnies” is an award show produced by several members of the athletics and events departments. The night celebrates, commemorates and honors the accomplishments of student-athletes, coaches, faculty and staff.
After a multi-year hiatus, the in-person awards show returned in May 2024 at LiGrecci’s Staaten for the first time in five years – the last Finnies event prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was in 2019. The event’s schedule was hit or miss on a year-to-year basis dating back to the early 2000s but is now attempting to become an annual staple with catered food and increased hospitality.
The “Finnies” was hosted by Joseph Foreman, assistant sports information director, and Nicholas Durst, who is a full-time employee.
“It was my first major speaking gig in front of almost all of the student athletes that represent our 14 men’s and women’s teams,” Foreman said with an enthusiastic undertone. “We have so many wonderful things happening on campus, including renovations to the primary soccer field and softball field. The goal is to grow this event and expand our program over time.”
Several prominent members of the CSI community spoke, including new athletic director Matthew Scally and student government president Adrian Rosales.
Scally remains a fresh face for a portion of the program. After months without an acting full-time athletic director, Scally was officially hired by CSI in December 2024 and started the new role on January 2 of this year.
Prior to joining CSI, the optimistic Scally accumulated 30-plus years of experience and success as an associate athletics director, developing and managing programs within the Division I and II athletics setting in the New York City area. A graduate of St. John’s University (1991), Scally spent 22 years at LIU Brooklyn from September 1992 until August 2014 and then 10 at Columbia University before his transition to Staten Island.
Construction on the soccer field began two months ago. The facelift for the softball field, also located on the complex, began 10 days ago. Each is expected to be ready in August before the 2025 fall semester.
In addition to Scally, Rosales, a campus liaison, also took the stage before awards were announced.
“Our student-athletes are a vital part of the broader campus community, contributing to our school spirit and representing CSI every time they face an opponent,” said Rosales following his speech. “From our DII teams to club sports and intramurals, there is an athletic group available for students to join and feel like they belong.”
“Sports unite people together, and that contributes to our broader mission at the Student Government to foster a campus community where everyone feels included.”
The National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Membership Committee officially validated CSI’s move to Division II in July 2022, weeks before the 2022-23 season. CSI also supports five intramural clubs and activities for students to participate in.
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